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The week-end started with unexpected drama when Leon & Josie arrived late on Friday night to find the hostel closed,everyone asleep and the warden nowhere in evidence! Having gained entry they had to share the one remaining single dormitory bed.
However everything was resolved on Saturday morning and we were all soon heading out into generally good winter conditions.
The Smiths,joined by Sean, travelled north to tackle an icy Blencathra and some Wainwrights beyond.
Helen and Judith opted for Sheffield Pike and enjoyed great views of the Lake and surrounding area.
The main party walked up Grisedale to the Tarn from where we climbed Fairfield-half the party donning crampons on the ascent given the steepness of the slope and the icy conditions.On the summit we were greeted by a strong wind and a widespread sheen of ice/snow and great views enhanced by atmosheric cloud conditions.We continued to Hart Crag where a steep snow slope led to the long descent down the ridge of “Hartsop above How”.
A convivial evening in”The White Lion” Inn followed.On returning to the hostel Josie produced a large mountain cake complete with climber and rope in honour of Leon’s imminent birthady which was then shared out among the group.
On Sunday the weather had taken a turn for the worse,warmer with low cloud and the promise of rain and high winds.It was clearly not a day for epics and the party therefore dispersed with various lesser objectives before the drive home.
Howtown on the east side of Ullswater featured significantly with a number of visits-2 via Place Fell with returns by the lakeside or up lonely Boredale and one on the ferry from Glenridding.Steve Leather approached it via the lakeside on a photography day.
The Smiths continued their Wainwright quest with an awkwardly sited top near Troutbeck.
Helen and Judith explored the dramatic Aire Force and Gordon visited the gear shops in Ambleside for advice concerning his problematic crampons.
An excellent week-end with 14 members ( and 2 guests) providing a taste of proper winter conditions and a stay in an iconic and attractive hostel sadly soon to be sold.
MikeJust like to say thanks to Mike for organising a brilliant meet
Happilly the issue causing my crampon and boot to part company is resolved
The problem was an adjusting screw which had worked a bit loose and got worse by movement and consequently there was insufficient tension to keep the front bale in place
now looking forward to the next dump of snow
Gordon
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